i've had the most delicious a-ha moment in working with ernie. i've started to wonder, am i working with him or is he working with me? i think it is mutual. but the a-ha is this, the most effective communications are not ones that are cerebral or stem solely from thoughts. when we embody the energy of our intentions, that's when we see the best results.
ernie is still insecure about much in the urban landscape and frequently sits or shuts down on walks when we approach scary things like the metro system, statues, sirens, etc. my issuing verbal directives and encouraging with treats gets us a little progress but not a lasting progress. however, when i FEEL positive and peaceful (no grtting my teeth, no anticipating a negative outcome) about what i am asking him to do, he reads that loud and clear and surprises me with his confidence to do what he was hesitant to do before.
i've heard, known, practiced this lesson before. but as with many lessons in life, we get them when we get them. we now are practicing calming, sitting and laying down without verbal cues but just with energy... i breathe deeply and slowly, FEELING the calm, blink slowly at him and think about settling and sitting. low and behold, he sits. it's such a privilege to feel connected on this level! i know that developing energy consciousness carries benefits through all aspects of life. whether working with pups, clients or other relationship dynamics, energy speaks volumes more than words can.
what's more, energy IS our truth. dogs are incapable of dishonesty. whatever their energy is, is how they are feeling and shows us what their needs are. they can't cloak their needs in deceptive words. they don't manipulate through deceit. if we took this pivotal energy lesson from our pups, BE the ENERGY, we could be truest to ourselves, to others, and focus on the simplicity of our one truth, our energy. not the masks or deceptions we may practice, whether consciously or unconsciously.
BE the ENERGY you intend. FEEL your intentions. it's a powerful elevation beyond just thinking about our intentions. cerebral is good. but FEELING holds the key to transforming thoughts into being.
